Nagaland hopes to eliminate malaria by 2022

Dimapur, Feb. 21 (EMN): Seemingly confident with the project implementation, state director of National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, hoped to eliminate malaria in the state by 2022.

Medikhru stated this at the two-day review meeting of the National Vector Borne District Control Programme (NVBDCP) held at the directorate of health and family welfare, Kohima, on February 20 and 21.

Additional director of NVBDCP from the ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India, Dr. Avdesh Kumar, and NVBDCP state and district officials and staff have participated in the two-day meeting.

On the first day, the programme was chaired by the deputy director of NVBDCP, Dr. Neisakho Kere, and the welcome address was delivered by the Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, Mission Director (NHM).

An overview of the programme was presented by Dr. I Talitemsula, SPO, NVBDCP.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Avdesh Kumar stated that malaria is a difficult disease to eliminate because it is a vector borne disease which tackles with agent, host, environment and vector unlike other diseases like polio, TB etc which only deals with three factors agent, host and environment. He stressed on the importance of maintaining all reports and records in all levels for malaria elimination certification.

According to WHO 2018 world malaria report, India stands at No. 4 out of 11 high malaria burden countries. India is the only country, which has reported decline in malaria cases by 24% which is contributed largely by north eastern states.

The address was followed by district presentations on programme implementation in their respective districts with inputs and suggestions from the participants.